ABU DHABI // Faisal Al Ketbi lived up to his top billing. The Emirati was an impressive winner of the 100-kilogram brown-belt division over the American Hans Borchardt in the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship on Thursday.
It was Al Ketbi’s fifth gold medal in the championship since the Abu Dhabi event was established in 2009. He won the gold in the blue belt in the first two years, and the silver in 2011.
He won the gold in the purple belt in 2012 and completed the double in the brown belt 100kgs last night at the Zayed Sports City’s FGB Arena.
Al Ketbi took less than three minutes to complete the job. He won two early points from a takedown and got a side control and mount to increase his lead to seven before having the American in a submissive arm lock.
“I was lucky to get an early lead. It was good to be in the lead so early because you feel comfortable, and give the power and confidence to hold on to the lead,” he said.
“This is the first time I faced Borchardt. He arrived here after winning the trials in New York. So he deserved to be here, but bad luck for him that he had to face me.”
Al Ketbi,26, insisted every medal he won in the annual championship in Abu Dhabi was as good as the other for him.
“This is an achievement not only for me, but the county, the UAEJJ Federation and to my people. I hope to do better every time I go into any competition,” he said.
“I am also not alone in this championship. My teammates have worked very hard with me and they will also go into the competition in their respective categories on Friday [today]. I wish they will all have the same success I had.
“We have seen hundreds of Emirati children participate in the first two days and my wish is that they, too, will come onto the bigger stage and bring more glory from this sport to the country.”
Al Ketbi will be looking to complete a double when he competes in the open weight on the final day on Saturday.
“I have won it twice in the purple belt and hope to win it for the first time in brown,” he said.
“This is the bigger challenge that comes next for me. God willing, I will win it for my fans and the country.”
Brazilians Marcos Almeida and Rodolfo Vieira remained on course for another meeting in the black-belt open class, winning the gold medals in the 100+ and 100 kg weight divisions, respectively.
Almeida, the defending champion of the open division, got the better of Alexander Trans of Denmark and Vieira outclassed compatriot Luiz Panza.
“I am happy with my win in the weight class, but there is no guarantee for anyone to be in the open final,” Vieira said.
“There are so many good fighters in this competition and it is very hard to say who is going be in the final. I think everyone will have the same objective to reach the open final, which is the ultimate prize to win in this championship.”
The winner of the open final will receive US$30,000 (Dh110,165), the biggest share of the Dh1.6m total purse.
In the women’s championship, Gabriele Garcia clinched her fifth straight gold in the 72kg+ brown/black belt and is the favourite to take the open class on Saturday.
The Brazilian had the better of Dominyka Obelenyta, 18, of Lithuania, but insisted it was a very tough fight, although it appeared to be easy.
“The new generation fighters are like iron ladies,” Garcia said.
“They are very strong and very combative. Dominyka is young, tall and strong, and a good future prospect.”
Garcia remains undefeated in Abu Dhabi in five appearances. She claimed her fifth gold in her weight class and has two open division gold, since it was established two years ago.
The Brazilians once again dominated the opening day’s championship for the professionals.
They made a clean sweep of all eight gold medals in the men’s black belt and all four in the women’s section.
apassela@thenational.ae
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